Trouble at Harbor Freight !
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown,WV USA
Trouble at Harbor Freight !
Money trouble that is...too many "I wants" and too few dollars 
I did but a set of those wheel dollys ($39.99 for a set of two) so I could put my 78 on them and move the car around the garage without starting it.
Those things are really cool- plus they get the car a few more inches off the ground and makes getting under it to clean things much easier. The car moves around the garage pretty easily on them as well!!
I also picked up a low profile jack so I can get under the C6 easier when I change oil.
Things are good in vette land
I did but a set of those wheel dollys ($39.99 for a set of two) so I could put my 78 on them and move the car around the garage without starting it.
Those things are really cool- plus they get the car a few more inches off the ground and makes getting under it to clean things much easier. The car moves around the garage pretty easily on them as well!!
I also picked up a low profile jack so I can get under the C6 easier when I change oil.
Things are good in vette land
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I know, Harbor Freight talks you into buying the membership thing and then they bombard you with double or triple ads with deals you just can't pass up. I'm enjoying buying tools and equipment so much, I'm not buying parts! LOL
I know they are crappy tools but for what I need, they will hardly be used and I can get too much stuff too cheap not to. Just wish that I had learned about them sooner.
I know they are crappy tools but for what I need, they will hardly be used and I can get too much stuff too cheap not to. Just wish that I had learned about them sooner.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
You can find some great deals at Harbor Freight...you just have to sift through a lot of crappy tools to find the good ones. A lot depends on what tool you're looking for and the use you have for it. For something that will get little use buying one of their tools may be OK...but for constant heavy use, I go with something I know can be trusted.
The best thing I bought at Harbor Freight was my utility trailer...$249 delivered. I assembled it and it holds 1100 lbs. It's used regularly and does everything I need.
The best thing I bought at Harbor Freight was my utility trailer...$249 delivered. I assembled it and it holds 1100 lbs. It's used regularly and does everything I need.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Money trouble that is...too many "I wants" and too few dollars
I did but a set of those wheel dollys ($39.99 for a set of two) so I could put my 78 on them and move the car around the garage without starting it.
Those things are really cool- plus they get the car a few more inches off the ground and makes getting under it to clean things much easier. The car moves around the garage pretty easily on them as well!!
I also picked up a low profile jack so I can get under the C6 easier when I change oil.
Things are good in vette land
I did but a set of those wheel dollys ($39.99 for a set of two) so I could put my 78 on them and move the car around the garage without starting it.
Those things are really cool- plus they get the car a few more inches off the ground and makes getting under it to clean things much easier. The car moves around the garage pretty easily on them as well!!
I also picked up a low profile jack so I can get under the C6 easier when I change oil.
Things are good in vette land
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I've recently been afflicted by the Harbor Freight syndrome. After never buying from them, I've made 3 purchases since last Fall. My wife now tries to throw away their monthly fliers before I see them
. After never buying from them, I've made 3 purchases since last Fall. My wife now tries to throw away their monthly fliers before I see them
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,304
Likes: 8
From: Avon, Indiana
I bought one of those vibrating multitools (29.95) and it does everything that is advertised in the commercials for similar products that cost ten times as much. I have used it for grout removal,sanding and cutting, and it has been terrific.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '11
For Christmas, I took a Harbor Freight flyer, circled a bunch of stuff I'd like, in various prices, and passed it to my GF. She showed it to everyone who would be getting me gifts I didn't know what I'd get, but this Christmas I didn't get any cologne to add to my collection, or ties to use to clean the dipstick with... it was nice
Roughrider.... all in all, how is that trailer? I've been thinking about getting one and building a teardrop on it, just for the Vette.
I didn't know what I'd get, but this Christmas I didn't get any cologne to add to my collection, or ties to use to clean the dipstick with... it was nice Roughrider.... all in all, how is that trailer? I've been thinking about getting one and building a teardrop on it, just for the Vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
The only issues were the paint fading from red to orange (the trailer sits out in the weather) and having to replace the wheel bearings after enough time, but it uses standard 1" bearings which are very inexpensive.
Harbor Freight sells several sizes and weight carrying ability...mine has a 4'x8' bed and has the 12" tires. The same trailer with 8" tires is rated to carry less weight. I added a steel reinforcing bar down the center to stiffen it more as it has a fairly light gauge frame.
I believe the retail has gone up about $50 since I bought mine about ten years ago. When I ordered it originally, it came by freight at no charge which was a big plus. Now I have a Harbor Freight store about thirty minutes from me which is convenient.
For the money it's hard to go wrong.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 833
From: WI
I wish I would have had it to cut my vette's fender off back when I replaced it. I bought a house that had some frozen pipes and it is THE tool for making plunge cuts into drywall. What I like is the blade is only about 1mm thick.Mark G
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Remlap AL
bought two sets of 1000lb dollies last week for $30 each (inside track). When I checking their rating on HF it turned out that the 1000lb is easier to maneuver than the 1500 lb ones. I compared them side by side at the store and indeed the 1000 lb has bigger wheels. They worked great with the 68 vette.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Lansing MI
I bought the 1000 lb set for my C4 and they work great. But I swear I was walking thru Menard's a week later and saw the exact same dollies (or very, very close) for less.
My favorite disposable HF tool is the electric die grinder I bought with the extended reach (long shaft). I put 2" dia abrasive cut-off wheels on it and with the small wheels I was able to reach into the access areas to cut the body mount bolts. It's been handy for all kinds of tight places.
As for the car dollies...it was like adding square footage to the shop because I pushed the C4 sideways into the corner.
My favorite disposable HF tool is the electric die grinder I bought with the extended reach (long shaft). I put 2" dia abrasive cut-off wheels on it and with the small wheels I was able to reach into the access areas to cut the body mount bolts. It's been handy for all kinds of tight places.
As for the car dollies...it was like adding square footage to the shop because I pushed the C4 sideways into the corner.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '11
Entering a Harbor Freight Store for the first time WILL steal several hours of your life due to mesmerization, and you will leave with a large purchase you didn't plan to make!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
I hate cheap tools, but they sure are handy when you need 'em! They are opening a new HF store in San Jose near me. I will probably be in big trouble... "He who dies with the most tools wins."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
This is easy to "cure."
Simply buy a few tools there that you absolutely need to do a specific job.
When some break down on you (always at the most inoppertune time), you'll be on your way to the cure.
When others don't perform as they should, you'll take the next step.
Then, when you find that the remaining tools have totally screwed up your work, you'll be cured...,
temporarily...
Case in Point from my actual experience:
Buy a belt for your stationary belt sander from Lowes/Home Depot/Osh and run a piece of wood over it. It goes "SHSSSSSSSSS..."
Buy that belt at Harbor Freight for half the price and run a piece of wood over it and it goes "****-****-****..."
Simply buy a few tools there that you absolutely need to do a specific job.
When some break down on you (always at the most inoppertune time), you'll be on your way to the cure.
When others don't perform as they should, you'll take the next step.
Then, when you find that the remaining tools have totally screwed up your work, you'll be cured...,
temporarily...
Case in Point from my actual experience:
Buy a belt for your stationary belt sander from Lowes/Home Depot/Osh and run a piece of wood over it. It goes "SHSSSSSSSSS..."
Buy that belt at Harbor Freight for half the price and run a piece of wood over it and it goes "****-****-****..."
Last edited by toddalin; Jan 26, 2011 at 01:58 AM.
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Oh yea, those vette roller skates are saaaweeeet!!!! Sometimes I go out in the garage and just push the Vette around, because I can!
Latest purchase was an dust exhaust/filter system for the cabinet sandblaster, that sits next to the cherry picker, that sits next to the parts washer, that is right next to the bench grinder that just happens to be along side of the drill press etc etc etc..........
Plus I have a boatload of those little free flashlights they give when you buy anything.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
From: Lake Stevens Wa
The 2 ton Snap-on engine hoist is also made in China
. Everything is...
Their composite ratchets are actually pretty darn nice, Haven't broke it yet. My S&K and Stanley ratchets did break. You gotta read the reviews on their website before making purchases, they do have alot of crap.
. Everything is...Their composite ratchets are actually pretty darn nice, Haven't broke it yet. My S&K and Stanley ratchets did break. You gotta read the reviews on their website before making purchases, they do have alot of crap.
Last edited by mrit; Jan 26, 2011 at 12:42 AM.